Removal of Black American Soldier Panels at Margraten Cemetery: What Happened and Why It Matters

Last update: 10 December 2025: 22:30.

The Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial at Margraten is the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands. It is the resting place of 8,301 American casualties from World War II and has 1,722 names recorded on the Wall of the Missing. The site is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).

Among those buried at Margraten are 174 Black Americans, including Medal of Honor recipient Willy F. James Jr.

Table of Contents

• The Rationale Behind The Removal (LATEST UPDATE!)
• Removal of Panels
• What Was On The Panels?
• Official Responses from the American Battle Monuments Commission
• Political and Local Reactions
• English Language Sources
• International News
• Non-English Sources
• Response From The Ambassador
• What Makes It So Sensitive?
• What's the 43rd Signal Construction Battalion?
• My Visit To Margraten
• The Ambassador's Response After His Visit
• What About Willy F. James? Why Don't They Show A Photograph Of Him?
• Why Do These Details Matter?
• The Letter From US Congress to ABMC
• What's Next?

The Rationale Behind The Removal (LATEST UPDATE!)

According to internal ABMC emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request and reported by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the decision to remove the panel was taken to pre-empt possible criticism from the Trump administration. The emails show that Charles Djou explicitly linked the Margraten panel to Trump's March 19 executive order on “discriminatory equity ideology,” even though the order did not technically apply to ABMC. A senior staffer flagged the panel as “a problem,” and Djou ordered its removal specifically “to avoid raising any ire of the administration,” suggesting it be kept in storage until “a new admin in 2029.”

That leaves two questions: will the panels return in 2029? And will America's official memory of its dead remain dependent on the political priorities of the moment?

Removal of Panels

In November it was observed that two panels dedicated to the history of Black Americans in the U.S. military and the death of George H. Pruitt (43rd Signal Construction Battalion) were removed from the visitors center at the cemetery. Pruitt himself is interred in Margraten. The removals have sparked questions both locally and internationally.

The discussion began after a Dutch newspaper, NRC, published an article on November 7, 2025: Op Margraten zijn twee panelen over zwarte Amerikaanse bevrijders ineens weg: past bij beleid van de regering Trump. The title in Dutch reads: "At Margraten, two panels about black American liberators have suddenly disappeared: this fits in with the Trump administration's policy."

The grave of Willy F. James at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial.

What Was On The Panels?

The two panels contained information in Dutch and English about Black Americans soldiers during World War II.

One panel contained the following text:

African American Servicemembers in WWII: Fighting on Two Fronts

During World War II, the U.S. military followed a strict policy of segregation. Despite the ongoing fight for civil rights at home during an era of racist policies, more than a million African Americans answered their nation's call enlisting in every branch of the military.

Although limited to serving primarily in labor and support positions, Black service members regularly faced the horrors of war. In the fall of 1944, the 960th Quartermaster Service Company (QMSC)-composed primarily of African Americans - arrived in Margraten to dig graves at the newly created cemetery. First Lieutenant Jefferson Wiggins of the 960th QMSC recounted the suffering of service members under his command who "cried when they were digging the graves... they were just completely traumatized."

President Harry S. Truman finally ordered the US military to desegregate in 1948. However, African Americans' fight for civil rights was far from over. Many Black soldiers, including Wiggins, returned home to become leaders in the Civil Rights movement. The achievements of African American service members in WWII served as a powerful claim for equality then and now.

The other highlighted George H. Pruitt, a Technician Fourth Class, who drowned while attempting to save a comrade. He was a member of the 43rd Signal Construction Battalion, also known as the 43rd Signal Heavy Construction Battalion. He was posthumously awarded the Soldiers Medal, which was given to his widow Blanche Pruitt. The panel indicated he was buried at Plot L, Row 4, Grave 4 and contained this text in Dutch and English:

George H. Pruitt was born on March 26th 1922, in Camden, New Jersey. On December 31st 1942, Pruitt enlisted and was assigned to the 43rd Signal Construction Battalion.

On June 10th 1945, Pruilt and his comrades were constructing a telephone line across a river in Bremen, when one of them fell into the fast flowing river. Without hesitation, Pruitt dove into the water to save him. Despite multiple attempts, he was not able to save his comrade. The river also claimed the life of Pruitt, he was 23 years old.

George H. Pruitt was posthumously awarded the Soldier's Medal. His widow, Blanche Pruitt, received the award during an Armistice Day celebration in his hometown on November 13th 1945.

George H. Pruitt of the 43rd Signal Heavy Construction Battalion. Image taken from the book: 43rd Signal Heavy Construction Battalion, 1945, page 78. Book is in possession of the Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis.

Official Responses from the American Battle Monuments Commission

In the article it notes: According to Hélène Chaulin, ABMC spokesperson, “these panels [like the one about Pruitt] were designed to rotate regularly throughout the exhibition's run, so that as many individual stories as possible are featured.” She clarified: “The panel is currently not on display, but not out of rotation.”

When asked specifically about the panel covering Black American gravediggers, there was no answer provided. The spokesperson further noted that two portrait photographs out of 200 on display remain and in a 15-minute documentary there is still a fragment featuring Black soldiers digging graves. One minor note, but the NRC article stated, “a portrait photo has been placed next to the five white soldiers. Of the Black soldier James, only a photo of his gravestone is visible, while photos of him are circulating online.” This is incorrect, as no known photographs of Willy F. James exist.

Note: I reached out to ABMC to ask about their policy regarding Medal of Honor winners and cases where no images exist. They have not replied yet.

In the Newsweek article, Memorial to Black US Soldiers Who Died in WW2 Quietly Removed, ABMC also acknowledged that four out of the fifteen panels, used for rotation, feature Black American soldiers.

Napoleon Black, one of the Black American liberators of WWII, is listed on the Wall of Missing at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.

Political and Local Reactions

A follow-up NRC article (Nov. 8, 2025) described how several political parties in the provincial executive council of Limburg are now discussing a temporary memorial site to honor Black American soldiers: Limburgse statenleden willen tijdelijke herdenkingsplek voor zwarte bevrijders. The title in Dutch reads: "Limburg provincial council members want a temporary memorial site for Black liberators".

Local Limburg news source L1Nieuws shared additional context from cemetery caretakers: Verdwenen panelen zwarte bevrijders op begraafplaats Margraten onderdeel van roulerend systeem. “Due to the limited space in the visitors center there are often changes in the different panels, so that continually several stories can be told.” This echoes the earlier statements from the ABMC in the NRC article.

De Volkskrant, a Dutch newspaper, wrote an article titled: Amerikaanse begraafplaats Margraten verwijdert gedenktekens over rol van zwarte militairen in WO II. The article mentions that this appears to be part of the battle against what the Trump government calls 'woke'. The article mentions how the Trump government also made edits to the training videos of American air force pilots and how thousands of web articles were deleted with stories or images about Black, native, LGBTIQ+, or female veterans.

Nu.nl, an Dutch newssite, wrote an article titled: Limburg wil dat VS borden over zwarte soldaten op WO II-begraafplaats terugzet.

NOS, the Dutch state news broadcast, wrote this article on their website: Limburg roept VS op om panelen over zwarte soldaten terug te plaatsen. The title reads: "Limburg calls on US to put back the panels".

NOS also had a follow up article, titled: Beheerder Margraten over weghalen panelen: past niet langer in 'missie'.
Translated to English, it reads: "Caretaker Margraten about removing panels: doesn't fit any longer in 'mission'." The article mentions that there is a new interpretation of "the needs" and that there was no external pressure to remove the panels.

Traces of War, a Dutch World War II war site, had the following article: Worden zwarte soldaten opnieuw gewist uit de geschiedenis? The title translates as: "Are Black soldiers again erased from history?"

English Language Sources

NL-Times, an English-language Dutch news sources, wrote about it here: Limburg demands answers over U.S. whitewashing of Black history at WWII cemetery.
The article is similar to the NRC article and includes the quote that it is "indecent and unacceptable" to remove the panels as well as 'They stated the move "does not do justice to history.'" The article also mentions that Limburg King's Commissioner Emile Roemer shares the concerns and will meet with the US ambassador to talk about the issue.

Dutch News, another English-language Dutch news site, wrote about it here: Calls for permanent memorial in Limburg to black US liberators.
The article is similar to the original NRC articles, including the political parties which asked to replace the plaques.

Dutch News also published a follow-up article: Mayor calls for Black Liberators to be commemorated at Margraten. The article notes that the mayor submitted as request to put back the panels.

Dutch News published a follow-up article on 19 November: Panel on segregation in US army will not return to Margraten The article incorporates the responses from ABMC and the U.S. Ambassador Joseph Popolo.

International News

The newspage Newsweek has published an article titled: Memorial to Black US Soldiers Who Died in WW2 Quietly Removed.
The article is similar to the NRC articles, but also includes extra information from the Black Liberators, such as "might explain the removal of the story of Technician Fourth Class George H. Pruitt, even though it was already the last story to be added, it does not explain why the panel highlighting racial segregation was removed".

The Guardian published this article: A Dutch war cemetery added displays showing black US soldiers. Then they were quietly removed.

The Moderate Voice published this article: A Dark Cloud Hangs over the Margraten American Cemetery this Veterans Day.

Snopes also did an overview, which can be read here: Did Trump admin remove panels honoring fallen Black US soldiers in the Netherlands? What we know.

CNN published this article: Display about Black soldiers in World War II removed from US military cemetery.

The Washington Post published this article: U.S. WWII cemetery in the Netherlands removes displays about Black troops.

The Jewish Telegraph Agency this article: Officials removed exhibit on Black soldiers in WWII over fear of Trump's 'ire,' emails show.

Non-English Sources

Also non-English language newspapers are reporting on the issue.

French:
France24: Quand la politique anti-inclusion de Trump s'en prend à des Afro-Américains enterrés aux Pays-Bas.

Portuguese:
Vero Noticias: Holanda pede memorial para soldados negros americanos em Margraten.

CNN Brasil: Remoção de painel sobre soldados negros dos EUA da 2ª Guerra gera polêmica. Note, this is a translation from the English CNN article.

German:
Aachener Zeitung: Gedenktafeln schwarzer Soldaten am US-Friedhof in Margraten entfernt. Beobachter sind entsetzt.

Response From The Ambassador

The U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joseph Popolo, has also responded to the discussion with the following tweet:

"U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands @usambnl 2025 is the also the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. The @USABMC Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten is a solemn testament to those that paid the ultimate price for keeping us free. I understand two panels honoring African American service members were rotated out of a display in the visitor center prior to my arrival as Ambassador. @POTUS and @SecWar have decreed that merit and bravery will be the calling cards of our armed forces. There is ZERO inconsistency in honoring the important role African American soldiers played in WWII. I have only been in country three weeks, but look forward to my first visit to Margraten next week. #VeteransDay"

The tweet from the US ambassador to the Netherlands Joseph Popolo.

What I think is remarkable about this, is the post stresses the importance of merit and bravery. The panels removed weren't questioning merit. They contextualized the system of segregation within which Black soldiers served. These panels actually reinforce merit-based recognition by explaining their achievements despite institutional discrimination. Thus, recognizing their actions would actually part of a merit based recognition.

To push it even further, George H. Pruitt's panel documented how he jumped into the water to save a comrade. He was even awarded a medal for his actions. Unfortunately, the tweet from the Ambassador doesn't address why this panel was rotated.

What Makes It So Sensitive?

Margraten Cemetery is a symbol of international gratitude. It’s the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands and Dutch families have cared for American graves for generations. Black American soldiers played a crucial role in Europe’s liberation in WWII.

For many years, their sacrifice was overlooked, forgotten, or left out of public memory. The panels in the visitors center helped people to get a fuller understanding of history. By focusing on the experiences and sacrifices of Black soldiers, they let visitors understand not just heroism in battle, but also the difficulties and discrimination Black Americans faced, while fighting for freedom. When this aspect of history is removed or minimized, it sends a message about whose contributions are valued, and it makes it harder for current and future generations to learn from both the victories and the struggles of the past.

Honoring all those who served and died for our freedom helps people to understand the present better as well as lead to understanding across social groups. It thus helps create a better society.

What's the 43rd Signal Construction Battalion?

The 43rd Signal (Heavy) Construction Battalion was an American army unit during World War II. The unit had Black enlisted men, one Black Chief Warrant Officer and white officers.

The unit suffered 5 casualties overseas:

• Technician Fifth Grade Joseph Spriggs, Company A, fatally wounded on 3 February 1945 by the accidental discharge of a submachine gun.
• Technician Fourth Grade Burgess M. Harris, Company B, fatally injured on 10 May 1945 in a truck accident. The same incident injured Technician Fourth Grade Spencer Smith and Private First Class Charlie Hankerson.
• Technician Fourth Grade Leroy Kemp, Company A, drowned on 10 June 1945.
• Technician Fourth Grade George H. Pruitt, Company A, drowned on 10 June while attempting to save Leroy Kemp.
• Private First Class Norman Brown, Company A, died on 12 October 1945 when the pole he was working on as a lineman broke.

The battalion received Battle Participation Credit for:
Northern France, Ardennes Rhineland, Central Europe.

The following is a letter that a soldier in the battalion wrote. It gives a glimpse into the experiences of the unit as well as explain why the experiences of Black American soldiers are different than white American soldiers:

The Afro-American Newspapers
Baltimore, Maryland
February 18, 1944
Mr Editor:

You probably have received many letters of this type, but I think that after you read this letter you will be forced to at least investigate the case. On behalf of the two hundred and forty-nine men formerly of the Third Signal Troop, 2nd Cavalry Division, Ft. Clark, Texas, I plead that our case be printed; so that our race will know the true conditions that face the colored soldiers.

January 21, this year, the 2nd Cavalry Division went on the alert for P.O.C. and probable shipment overseas. Our troop wasn't included in the order. We later learned that we were to form a battalion and the ninth and twentyseventh [Cavalry Regiments] were going to be used as dock stevedores, unloading ships. They informed us that since we were such a crack communications unit, supposedly the best in the Third Army, and too intelligent to become stevedores.

February 13, 1944 we left Ft. Clark for Camp Crowder to form a battalion along with the 159th Field Artillery Battalion also a crack Negro unit. Incidentally they were rated ninety-eight per cent of being perfect in their firing tests given by an inspection team composed of Third Army officials.

We had visions of being the Cadre for an operations battalions because our troop is one-third radio operations and radio technicians. To our dismay we found that some brass hat in Washington had given orders to form a Construction Battalion. In this type battalion there isn't anyplace for radiomen. To be frank, we must toss away the months, in some cases, years of training that we have had since our entrance into the army. Of the fact that about seven hundred thousand dollars are being lost doesn't matter since the government will get more from the taxpayers.

If the colored soldiers aren't going to be able to use their training in technical fields why should they waste that time in school. That is why we are making such a fuss. We want to learn but we also want to be able to put this training to use after months of hard work in school.

Take my case for an example. From July 20, 1943 to November 13, 1943, I attended C.S.C.S. radio school and when I was released from school my classification was 766 on R.O.H.S. (radio operator high speed). I returned to my organization, the Third Signal Troop on Dec. 1, 1943 and promoted to technical fifth grade on Dec. 22.

On Jan. 21, this year, the 2nd Cavalry Div. was alerted and that is when the trouble began. They didn't want to make us a stevedore company; so they merged us with the 159 Field Artillery Bn. and gave us the glorified title of Signal Construction Bn.

My case is incidental; there is a technical sergeant that was in charge of repair maintenance for the division. He has spent years in radio, now he will probably be a construction chief.

At the present we are living in a condemned area and the sanitary facilities are outside across the street. We bathe, shave and catch cold in a poorly heated hut called a washroom or latrine. There are German prisoners here and they live better than we do.

With all this existing they even ask us about the four freedoms. Having covered most of the important things, I am quite sure that if you have the welfare of the Negro soldier at heart, you will investigate these claims and then have them printed; so that the secrets of what the Negroes in the army endure will be revealed to the public.

For reasons that you probably know I would prefer my name to be kept out of print because I will probably be weeded out and I will be unable to continue.

I remain:
Sincerely yours,
T/5 Samuel A. Connor
Co. B. 43rd Signal Const. Bn.
Camp Crowder, Missouri.

Taken from: Phillip McGuire, Taps for A Jim Crow Army: Letters from Black Soldiers In World War II, 1993, pages 75-76.

My Visit To Margraten

On 17 November, by co-incidence the same day as the U.S. Ambassador Joseph Popolo visited, I went to Margraten myself to check the visitor center and the cemetery. Among other things, I noticed new flowers and a photograph on the grave of George H. Pruitt, which someone must have left recently. The staff was really helpful and answered many of my questions. They pointed out several more Black Americans, such as Black soldiers who served as infantry volunteers and who are buried there.

Out of the 15 panels on display, there was one dedicated to a Black American soldier, Willmore Mack. He served in the 784th Tank Battalion and many members of the unit are buried on the cemetery or listed on the Wall of the Missing.

One of the panels on the wall, explained how Willmore Mack of the 784th Tank Battalion lost his life. He's buried at Margraten Cemetery.

In addition to it, there are four women buried at the cemetery and one panel, which I saw on display, is dedicated to a woman.

Another panel on the wall, which details the death of Wilma R. Vinsant. She's one of the four women buried at Margraten Cemetery.

The Ambassador's Response After His Visit

The tweets from the US ambassador to the Netherlands Joseph Popolo after his visit.

The full text is this:

The awe-inspring Netherlands American Cemetery is here to honor the incredible sacrifice our troops made in World War II, including the ultimate sacrifice made by many brave African-American soldiers.

The displays at #Margraten are not here to push an agenda criticizing America. There are 15 panels highlighting the stories of individual soldiers, including the one featured here of Pvt. Willmore Mack of the 784th Tank Battalion, who valiantly gave his life in the campaign of 1944. [Note Samuel de Korte: Willmore Mack died in 1945.]

It is my understanding that the @usabmc is refurbishing and rotating panels that celebrate our heroic African-American soldiers who helped to liberate our Dutch allies. Any criticism of @POTUS or the men and women of the ABMC is inappropriate and ill-informed.

Now, in this tweet there is a lot to unpack. I'd like to draw your attention to the following two sentences: "The displays at #Margraten are not here to push an agenda criticizing America." and "Any criticism of @POTUS or the men and women of the ABMC is inappropriate and ill-informed."

The first sentence is a fundamental mischaracterization of the problem. Informing people about segregation in the United States Army and the racism that these Black American soldiers endured is essential understanding the service and sacrifice of these Black American soldiers. Documenting facts is part of historical research and not political critique or "agenda-pushing". By claiming that portraying history accurately or inclusively as "agenda-pushing", you combine historical accuracy with political bias. This will inherently lead to a misrepresentation of history. To push the argument even further, it would imply that any mention of segregation, discrimination or systemic racism automatically means it expresses "criticism" of the United States, which is not correct.

The Ambassador didn't tweet about the merit-based recognition, but removing the historical context actually undermines the exceptional bravery of Black American soldiers and the heroism they displayed during World War II.

There are several ways how the public can be informed, all using relevant topics related to the cemetery, such as the 960th Quartermaster Service Company, who buried the dead soldiers at Margraten Cemetery. Another option would be using the 784th Tank Battalion, or the Black American infantry volunteers who served in white divisions, many of whom are buried there.

Without a plan for the regular, sustained visibility of panels dedicated to Black American soldiers, there is a risk that their removal becomes a practical erasure, regardless of institutional intent.

Lastly, calling other people "ill-informed", but then making a factual error doesn't help resolving the issue either. In his tweet Joseph Popolo claims Willmore Mack died "in the campaign of 1944," but on the panel people can read he died in 1945. If people were truly "ill-informed," wouldn't this be a good moment for the Ambassador to educate and to explain why the segregation panel was rotated out? Or when it will return? Or perhaps there are other initiatives to teach visitors about the service of Black Americans? Instead, the ambassador uses it to dismiss rather than engage in a conversation.

What About Willy F. James? Why Don't They Show A Photograph Of Him?

One fact which is included in several articles, is that only a photograph of Willy F. James' grave is used to symbolize him rather than a photograph. As far as I know, no known photograph of Willy F. James exists. Others have researched it as well, inlcuding extensive research and outreach, such as requests to James’s family. However, no verified photograph of Willy F. James Jr. has been found.

I also contacted the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) about this and asked what they normally do in such cases, and they provided the following explanation:

In cases where no verified photograph of an individual exists, including that of Willy F. James Jr., we do not substitute non-verified or speculative imagery. Our approach is to use available contextual photographs when appropriate – for example, a photograph of the family member/spouse receiving the Medal of Honor – as well as images of headstones or other historically accurate materials.

Rather than risk misidentification, the ABMC and cemetery staff adhere to this strict policy: only authenticated photos are used, and in the absence of such, they display James’s gravestone and, where appropriate, images of the Medal of Honor ceremony. The fact that no known photograph of Willy F. James exist is a reminder of the gaps in documenting the past and the challenges that people face when seeking to honor the past.

Why Do These Details Matter?

First of all, it's important to be accurate and specific when listing a complaint. In this case, while indeed the panel of George H. Pruitt is not on display, there is another panel about a Black American soldier being presented. There is also a panel dedicated to a woman. Thus, it seems that ABMC at least attempts to include women and minority stories in their panel rotation.

However, that doesn't solve the entire problem. There is still the missing information panel about segregation in the U.S. Army. This information, about the struggle for equality and the impact of racial segregation on the U.S. Army, is an important part of the historical context and explains why the service of Black Americans was unique. They had to struggle for equal rights and often fought a "two-front fight". Without it, there is the risk of presenting an incomplete or even sanitized version of history. It also ensures that visitors understand not just who the Black Americans were who served, but also can appreciate their service better. Therefore, it is important that an information panel on segregation in the U.S. Army is on display at the visitors center and currently that's not the case.

By interpreting historical documentation of segregation and racism as “agenda-pushing,” the Ambassador implies that any mention of these real events in the historical past are a form of inappropriate criticism rather than fact-based and documented history. This risks signaling that only a sanitized, uncritical version of the past is acceptable for the public. This inherently distorts the actual history and sacrifices of Black American soldiers during World War II.

When discrimination and racism are written out of history, it makes it more difficult for the public to understand the past. Ultimately, it all comes down to whether the U.S. can acknowledge past systemic injustice as historical fact without that acknowledgment being labeled as "agenda-pushing."

The Letter From US Congress to ABMC

The situation about Margraten has even reached U.S. Congress. On 21 November 34 members of the U.S. Congress have sent a letter stating their concern over the removal of displays about Black soldiers at Margraten Cemetery. They place the action within broader attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in U.S. commemorative practices.

Read the full letter here: Letter sent to ABMC (PDF).

What's Next?

This situation is ongoing and it's unknown when or even if the information panel about segregation returns. Local officials and community members are seeking ways to honor the sacrifice of Black American soldiers. The US Ambassador Joseph Popolo has responded via X. I have included my own observations. I hope the ABMC and stakeholders will invite constructive feedback and take concrete steps to restore panels that present the complexity and significance of Black soldiers' wartime experiences, for current and future generations.

As more information becomes available, this article will be updated to remain a comprehensive and reliable resource.

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The grave of Whitney C. Bland, of the 784th Tank Battalion, a Black American unit, at the Margraten Cemetery.